Why I cancelled my pre-order of Sony Vita First Edition and Opted for Launch Edition

I was pretty excited when Sony showed off its next generation mobile gaming platform, the PS Vita, at E3 2011. After watching several of unboxing and review videos from the Sony PS Vita release in Japan, I placed my pre-order of [amazon_link id=”B005IMVP0O” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Sony PS Vita First Edition[/amazon_link] with Amazon for one great price for $349. With $349 you get the PS Vita 3G/WiFi console, a special edition carrying case, the game ” [amazon_link id=”B0050SW7PI” target=”_blank” locale=”US” container=”” container_class=”” ]Little Deviants[/amazon_link]” and you get the package on Feb 15th, A whole WEEK ahead of its North America launch date.

Then last month, before the official launch date, Sony decided to upgrade the value on the package due to low sales volume in Japan. Sony tried to avoid the same mistake Nintendo made with their 3DS but in turn in my opinion made an even bigger mistake. Sony updated the value on both the First Launch Edition and the Launch Edition 3G/WiFi model but reduced the perceived value of the higher priced package.

For the First Edition, now Sony had added in a 250MB 3G WiFi card and 4 GB Vita memory card. I know 4 GB is not a lot, but since it’s another Sony product, and Sony has to introduce another proprietary format, the 4 GB Vita memory card cost way more than its SD counter part. 4 GB Vita memory card is retailing for $19.99. Since Playstation Vita doesn’t come with any on-board memory, a card is required to play any Playstation Vita game. It’s even more important now that Sony is promoting its Playstation Store to sell and distribute games digitally, and those new games are estimated at 4GB each.

Sony Vita

For the [amazon_link id=”B0071NH8B8″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]launch edition of the 3G/WiFi model[/amazon_link], Sony includes the same 256MB data card plus a 8 GB memory card. The 8 GB card retails for $29.99. It’s maddening since you can find similar capacity SD/Micro SD cards at 32 GB capacity for the same price. Essentially, Sony included a smaller memory card with their top of the line package. I get less value by paying more. It’s not that I don’t appreciate Sony’s gesture, but I demand the best if I have the pay the most.

I have no problem with paying $50 dollars more to get it one week early, but Sony ended up reducing the perceived value of my purchase! I think I’m not alone… there are a lot of people on-line who say they pre-ordered the first edition bundle and feel the same way. Action speaks louder than words. So, I canceled my First Edition bundle and went with the Launch Edition instead. I plan on using the $50 difference on some games like [amazon_link id=”B0050SW8AC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Wipeout 2048[/amazon_link] and[amazon_link id=”B006MO221S” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Dynasty Warrior NXT[/amazon_link].